Definition updating websters

"The work of revision is ongoing and constant; even though it seems that the latest slang gets the most attention when dictionaries issue lists of new words, the additions come from the whole range of registers and from every corner of the language," the Merriam-Webster Dictionary said in its blog.

"These are words that have demonstrated frequent and increasing use in a variety of sources, and are therefore likely to be encountered by a reader - and should be in the dictionary," it said.

But I digress…Webster’s first definition of literally is, “in a literal sense or matter; actually.” Its second definition is, “in effect; virtually.” In addressing this seeming contradiction, its authors comment:“Since some people take sense 2 to be the opposition of sense 1, it has been frequently criticized as a misuse.

Instead, the use is pure hyperbole intended to gain emphasis, but it often appears in contexts where no additional emphasis is necessary.”So it’s okay to use literally to mean figuratively as long as you really, really, really need to do so?

Under the dictionary definition for "femininity," Merriam-Webster provided examples of how to use the word in a sentence.

"She managed to become a CEO without sacrificing her femininity," one example read.

New words from the ever-expanding vocabulary of cooking and food include arancini, EVOO and macaron, as well as sharp tools of the kitchen santoku and chef's knife.

Political terms include 'town hall' and 'truther' as well as 'SCOTUS' and 'FLOTUS'.

As for verbs, 'shotgun', 'walk back an opinion', 'throw shade', 'face-palm', and 'geek out' were the new dictionary entries.

All of these words have been observed, collected, and researched, with many examples in context used to write definitions that explain both basic meanings and specific usage.

Just 20 minutes later, they responded, "You're right. We're glad this story has a happy ending, and even happier Segel took the time to speak up.

We're working to remove it now." They doubled down on that apology an hour later, writing back, "AND IT' S GONE. An example sentence in a dictionary might not seem like a big deal—and in the grand scheme of things, it probably isn't.

The word snollygoster - a shrewd, unprincipled person - returned to the dictionary after being dropped in 2003 because it had fallen nearly completely from use.